PLEASE HELP ASAP

Question

1. Given -x (4x^2 + x -11) = -4x^3 -x^2 -11x identify the factors of 4x^3 -x^2 -11x
2. Given -5a^3b(a^5b^2 -3ab) = -5a^8b^3 + 15a^4b^2 identify the factors of -5a^8b^3 + 15a^4b^2
3. Given (8r - 1)(12r +7) = 96r^2 + 44r -7 identify the factors of 96r^2 + 44r - 7

Answer 1

Hi Mike,

These three problems ask you to identify the factors of the Algebraic expressions.

REMEMBER: a factor is a value that is multiplied to get a product.

EXAMPLE: in 5(6)=30, the factors are 5 and 6.

METHOD: The trick here is to identify what symbol represents multiplication, because that is what a factor is. In these three cases the (PARENTHESIS) represent multiplication.

1. -x (4x² + x -11) = -4x³ -x² -11x
2. Here -x is being multiplied by 4x² + x -11. So the factors are -x and 4x² + x -11.
3. 5a³b(a⁵b² -3ab) = -5a⁸b³ + 15a⁴b²
4. Here 5a³b is being multiplied by a⁵b² -3ab. So the factors are 5a³b and a⁵b² -3ab.
5. (8r - 1)(12r +7) = 96r² + 44r -7
6. Here 8r - 1 is being multiplied by 12r +7. So the factors are 8r - 1 and12r +7.

FURTHER CLARIFICATION ON PARENTHESIS AS MULTIPLICATION

Parenthesis represent multiplication only if there is a value directly next to a parenthesis. If there is a + or - sign between the value and the parenthesis then it does NOT represent multiplicaiton. The given problems all show parenthesis as multiplication as shown.

1. For -x(4x... there is not a + or - sign between the value -x and the parentheses (4x...
2. For -5a³ b(a⁵b² ...there is not a + or - sign between the value -5a³ b and the parentheses (a⁵b² ...
3. For (8r-1)(12r... there is not a + or - sign between the value (8r-1) and the parentheses (12r...